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EDITOR’S NOTE: The Valley Times-News is doing a Q&A with all of the teachers of the year in the Lanett City Schools. Today, we are writing about Justin Gagnon, a junior high school PE teacher. We asked him several questions and included some of our favorite responses below.

Justin Gagnon, a junior high school PE teacher, has worked in education for eight years, all while working for the Lanett City Schools. 

Gagnon has been married to Katie Gagnon for 13 years. Together, they have three children. Sawyer is 8, Ella is 5, and Emery is 2 months old. Sawyer plays Soccer and Basketball, and Ella enjoys dance. 

Gagnon works as an assistant coach for the junior high football team and an assistant coach for the varsity baseball team. He enjoys teaching student-athletes how to become better people as well as hard-working athletes. 

When he’s not spending time with his family, Gagnon also is a member of Opelika Baptist Church.

What inspired you to become an educator? (Or who?) 

“I have always loved sports and I really enjoyed Physical Education when I was coming up through school. I worked with my younger brother on his basketball skills when he was in junior high and high school. I really enjoyed helping teach him the fundamentals of the sport. That’s when I first realized that I wanted to be a coach.”

What are your career aspirations? 

“I want to continue to teach and coach at Lanett City Schools. I attended Lanett, and I enjoy getting the opportunity to give back to the school that had such an impact on my life. I also enjoy teaching at the Jr. High level because I get the opportunity to have a positive impact on student’s lives when they are at an impressionable age.”

If you weren’t a teacher, what career field would you be in? 

“If I were not a teacher I would still be a coach since I love sports so much.”

What hidden talent do you have that might surprise your students and our readers? 

“I’m a good singer, and I went to college on a choir scholarship.”

If you could invite any historical figure to speak to your class, who would you choose and why? 

“If I could invite a historical figure, Jackie Robinson would be my choice because I love Baseball, and he was such an inspirational figure in sports and the world.”

What’s the most rewarding part about your job? 

“I get to have the opportunity to help the students I teach become better people.”

What’s the most challenging part of your job? 

“The most challenging part of my job is trying to keep the students motivated to exercise and play.”

What did it mean to you to be named your school’s teacher of the year? 

“It means a lot to know that all of my hard work isn’t going unnoticed.”

On a weekend or a summer day when school is out, what are your favorite activities? 

“I enjoy spending time with my family, playing basketball, going to the beach, and going to Lake Martin.”

As your students transition to the next grade or graduate in May, what is one key takeaway you hope they carry forward from their time in your class? 

“I hope they carry the values that I taught them as well as the sports knowledge and exercise fundamentals.”